Bengals QB Joe Burrow's knee injury is worse than we thought

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow tore his ACL and MCL as well as incurring other "structural issues" during Sunday's game against Washington, according to multiple reports Monday.

Reports from ESPN suggest a lengthy recovery process is ahead for Burrow after an MRI revealed more damage to his knee than anticipated.

But Bengals head coach Zac Taylor remained optimistic, and somewhat vague, about Burrow's prognosis during a Monday news conference.

"I'm expecting him to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2021 season," Taylor said. "I've said what I said, and that's really all I have for you."

Burrow, the LSU standout and the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, was injured early in the third quarter when he was hit high and low by two Washington linemen after throwing a pass. His left leg bent awkwardly, and he couldn’t put any weight on it, ending his day at 22-of-34 passing for 203 yards and a touchdown.

It is unclear when Burrow will have surgery or what the exact timeline is for his recovery.

Backup QB Ryan Finley took over for Burrow during Sunday's game, going 3 of 10 for 30 yards and an interception.

In 2019, Finley briefly replaced veteran QB Andy Dalton. After Finley completed 41 of 87 passes for 474 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in three games, the Bengals benched him to start Dalton the rest of the season.

On Monday, the Bengals called up QB Brandon Allen from the practice squad. The fourth-year player out of the University of Arkansas was a 2016 sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos. He played his only three career games in Denver, completing 39 of 84 passes for 515 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Allen joined the Bengals squad on Aug. 1.

The new Bengals offense hosts the New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium this Sunday at 1 p.m.